Former BBC Watchdog presenter Lynn Faulds Wood has died. She was aged 72.

A statement from her family said:

“Having suffered a massive stroke last night and a subsequent bleed on the brain, presenter and journalist Lynn Faulds Wood passed away peacefully at 12 noon today with her husband John Stapleton and son Nick at her bedside.”

Lynn presented Watchdog with husband John from 1985 to 1993.

She survived bowel cancer and became a campaigner for better awareness of the illness.

She worked with Dame Esther Rantzen to present BBC consumer rights programme Old Dogs, New Tricks.

Dame Esther paid tribute to her former colleague.

She said: “I’ve known Lynn for many years.

“We made a series together which was huge fun but also very hard-hitting because she was such an impressive and courageous consumer journalist.

“She fought for the rights of vulnerable people doggedly and determinedly and she is a huge loss to journalism and to her friends and family.

“We are all devastated at this news.”